Advocacy in Action: Canada Organic Trade Association’s Organic Summit & Parliament Day 2024

Event Details

Time: November 18, 2024 at 9am to November 19, 2024 at 4pm
Location: Delta Hotel's Ottawa city center
Street: 101 lyonst.N,
City/Town: Ottawa, Ontario
Website or Map: https://canada-organic.ca/en/…
Phone: 613-482-1717 ext. 206
Event Type: organic, summit
Organized By: Canada Organic Trade Association
Latest Activity: Nov 5, 2024

Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)

Event Description

The Canada Organic Trade Association’s (COTA) flagship event, The Canada Organic Trade Association’s (COTA) flagship event, the Organic Summit, will take place on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Ottawa, followed by a members-only Advocacy Day happening on Tuesday, November 19. Dive into this hybrid event which offers inspiring presentations, engaging talks, and networking opportunities focused on the organic market and scientific insights, with cutting edge research unveiled.

Nine expert speakers share valuable insights tailored for Canada’s organic businesses.

• NielsenIQ provides insights on how organic fits into the challenges of affordability
• Export Development Canada presents on the organic market opportunity
• Rodale Institute presents scientific research on nutrient density of organic
• ...and much more!

“With this year’s Organic Summit and Parliament Day, we’re bringing together a powerful lineup of industry experts to address key challenges and growth opportunities within Canada’s organic sector. As we work toward implementing Canada’s Organic Action Plan, this event will inspire our sector to drive forward sustainable practices, support biodiversity, and enhance human and soil health through organic leadership.” - Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director of COTA.

The Organic Summit is an opportunity for all to learn about Organic farming as an impactful approach to production and processing. Organic prioritizes sustainability, actively addressing climate change and ecological health, by fostering clean waterways, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting robust human and soil health, organic practices are fundamental to a resilient environment. Certified organic products, backed by a stringent third-party regulated and audited system under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, guarantee that rigorous, science-based production standards are upheld, offering consumers trusted assurance of quality and environmental stewardship.

To encourage widespread coverage and elevate the conversation around Canada’s growing organic sector, COTA is pleased to offer complimentary online media passes to the 2024 Organic Summit. This exclusive opportunity invites journalists, reporters, and media representatives to join industry experts and thought leaders with insights on organic market trends, scientific breakthroughs, and policy advocacy. With access to insightful presentations, data-driven sessions, and advocacy insights, media attendees can gain a deeper understanding of the industry’s challenges and advancements while contributing to the visibility and influence of Canada’s organic movement.

Learn more about the Organic Summit and see the full line-up of speakers in the Organic Summit 2024 program.
Thank you to our Gold Level Organic Summit sponsors: EDC, Nature’s Path Organic Foods, and Riverside Natural Foods Ltd.

Comment Wall

Comment

RSVP for Advocacy in Action: Canada Organic Trade Association’s Organic Summit & Parliament Day 2024 to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Attending (1)

View All

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Team Alberta Crops Breakfast

As the new communications intern at Alberta Canola, the Team Alberta Crops breakfast was my first time at an agriculture policy event. I come from an urban background with limited exposure to farming. Insights from presenters Milt Poirier, from QGI Consulting, and Neil Blue, a provincial Crop Market Analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, fundamentally changed my understanding of the agricultural industry. I no longer see Canadian agriculture as simply the production of farm products. Instead, I now view farming in the context of globally interconnected systems. These systems encompass the inputs that farmers rely on, the production processes, and the networks of processing and logistics. All of these systems are further shaped by external forces, including national and provincial policies, international trade rules, climate patterns, and technological innovations. Global Competition and Climate Challenge From Neil Blue’s talk, I learned that agriculture is a competit

2025 Performance Variety Trial Results Now Available

The 2025 Performance Variety Trials (PVT) results are now available, delivering the latest, region-specific data to support informed crop variety decisions across Alberta and Western Canada. The annual PVT program evaluates cereal, oilseed, and pulse crop varieties, providing up-to-date information on yield performance, agronomic characteristics, and disease resistance. This data helps farmers, agronomists, and industry professionals select varieties best suited to their local growing conditions, environmental zones, and management practices. Variety trials for each crop are conducted and managed by multiple research organizations and industry partners across the region. Detailed results can be found in the crop-specific performance tables for each commodity. We extend sincere thanks to the researchers, technicians, and partner organizations whose contributions make this program possible.

STEP takes action to support Saskatchewan’s canola export sector

The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) is joining the effort to ensure market access into China for Canadian canola products in light of the latest round of Chinese tariffs. “Between the new 75% tariff on canola seed and the existing 100% tariff on oil and meal, the Chinese market is effectively closed for Saskatchewan canola products,” says incoming STEP CEO Chris Lane. “We are deeply concerned about the impact that could have on our members and the industry as a whole, not to mention producers who are starting harvest.” Beyond direct exporters, supporting industries such as transportation, logistics, agri-technology, and value-added services are feeling the ripple effects. These industries play an integral role in Saskatchewan’s economy, and many are now experiencing operational strain due to storage bottlenecks, contractual uncertainties, and reduced market confidence. STEP is encouraged by the Government of Saskatchewan’s efforts and advocacy on this issue, includi

Canada weighs approval of genetically engineered pigs

According to a recent USDA-FAS report, Canada is reviewing the potential commercial use of genetically engineered pigs, while pausing regulatory changes related to cloned swine. USDA-FAS reports that Environment and Climate Change Canada consulted with the public between June 20 and July 20, 2025, on four lines of genetically engineered pigs submitted under the New Substances program. The proposal would allow the pigs to be used in commercial breeding operations and pork production. A regulatory decision had not yet been released at the time of writing, and Health Canada had not published food safety assessments related to the pigs. Separately, Health Canada has indefinitely paused a proposed policy update that would have removed cattle and swine clones produced through somatic cell nuclear transfer, and their offspring, from Canada’s novel food regulations. The policy change was first proposed in spring 2024 but was halted in fall 2025 following consumer and industry feedback. Un

Pea, Lentil Outlooks Get More Burdensome

An already burdensome supply-demand picture for 2025-26 Canadian lentils and peas is now looking even worse.

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service